Fence-machine.



PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905.

J. W. KEPPBRT.

FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

m Wm m 0 V m N mad O8 No. 792,994. PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905. J. W. KEPPBRT.

FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21,1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

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No. 792,994. PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905.

' J. W. KEPPERT.

FENCE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21,1904.

3SHEETS-SHBET 8.

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Patented June 20, 1905.

iUNTTED STATES PATENT @EFicE.

FENCE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,994, dated June 20, 1905.

Application filed November 21, 1904. Serial No. 233,727.

Be it known that l, Josurn W. Krllll-llt'l, a citizen of the United States, residing at Loyal, in the county of Clark and State of \Yisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fence-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fence-machines.

In certain agricultural and cattle districts it becomes necessary frequently to move fences from place to place. This operation of course involves the necessity of removing the wire from the fence-posts, witlnlrawing the posts, replanting them along the line of the new fence, and finally restretching the wire. it is found in practice that these several operations are attended with difiiculty and in some cases with danger. Barb-wire, for instance, after it has been exposed to the weather for a period of time becomes rusted, for which reason if it be manipulated manually in removing it from the posts the hands of the operative frequently become out or torn so seriously as to result in blood-poisoning. The operation of driving the fence-posts into the ground is attended with difficulty, in that it is necessary to provide a support of some portable character for the man who is driving the posts, so that he can convenientlydeliver blows with a sledge-hammer or maul upon the upper end thereof.

()no object of the present invention is to avoid the necessity of touching the wires with the hands during the operation of stretching them upon the posts or removing them therefrom.

A further object of the invention is to combine with improved wire-holding means a convenient and simple form of support or platform which may be moved easily and quickly along the line of fence and utilized in driving the posts.

\Yith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed as a practical embodiment thereof.

In the accompanying drz'twings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of the fence-machine of this invention arranged for use as a combined portable supporting device and wi reholder. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the arrangement of the machine when gathering up the wire as it is removed from the fence-posts. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of part of the reel, showing a novel form of device for securing the crank-jmirinil thereof in position. Fig. l is a detail view of said securing means. Fig. is a similar view of the means of securing the reel-journal in position when the crank is removed and the reel is permitted to run free during the operation of paying out wire as it is stretched upon the fence-posts. Fig. 0 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the reelframe with its supporting-legs removed, so that the reel after it has been deprived of its crank can be dragged along the ground in building a fence through a country which is obstructed with umlerbrush or scrub.

Like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the different views.

The improved fence-machine of this invention comprises a frame which consists, preferably, of the side bars 1 2, which are connected by a cross-piece 3, which constitutes a suitable handle for use in moving the machine, from place to place, and by a plurality of cross-piecesll L, which are grouped together in such manner as to constitute suitable supporting means for a removable platform 5, upon which a man can stand in driving fenceposts into the ground. A wire-reel, consisting of the end pieces 6 and connecting-pieces T, is mounted between the side bars 1 2 upon a suitable journal 8, to one end of which is connected in any suitable manner a crank 9. The journal 8 of the wire-reel preferably is formed of gas-pipe for the sake of economy and is connected rigidly with said reel by means of 'the rod 10, which is formed at one end with a laterallyextending toothed jaw ii. The opposite end of the rod 10 is threaded to receive a wing-nut '12, which serves to adjust toward the toothed jaw 1i a movable toothed jaw 11:3, which is provided with a suitable sleeve portion 1.4:, surrouinling the rod or bolt 10. After the bolt 10 is passed tin-(nigh a suitable perforation in the journal 8 the jaws 11 and 13 are adjusted against the opposite edges of one of the end pieces 6 of the wire-reel to hold the journal securely in position, so that the rotation which is imparted thereto by the crank 9 will be transmitted to the reel.

The side bars 1 2 of the frame are supported at one end by suitable legs or supports 15,

.which are detachably connected with said side bolts 21, upon which they are capable of pivotal movement. The legs or supports 20 are adapted to be held in upright position by means of braces 22, which are pivotally and also detaehably connected with the side bars 1 2 by means of bolts 23. At their lower ends the braces 22 are provided with hooks 24, which are adapted to be engaged with eyebolts 25, connected with the legs or supports 20. It will be obvious that the braces 22 constitute means for holding the pivotally-mounted legs 20 in adjusted position.

hen the improved fence-machine is used in constructing a fence, a man stands upon the platform 5 and drives the fence-post into the ground with a maul or sledge-hammer, after which the wire is fastened to the post and the machine is moved along to the spot where the next post is to be planted, the cross-piece 3 serving as a handle to permit the legs or supports 20 to be lifted from the ground, so as to drag the machine along on the supportingwheels 19, and the wire-reel serving to pay out or feed the wire as the machine is drawn from place to place.

WVhen the machine is used for gathering up the wire as a fence is taken down prior to removal, the braces 22 are unhooked from the legs or supports 20 and said braces and legs are folded up into the position shown in Fig. 2, so that the ends of the side bars 1 2 rest upon the ground, it being understood that the pivotal 'joint 23 of the braces 22 is sufficiently loose to permit said braces to be separated slightly in a lateral direction from the side bars 1 2, so as to clear the bolts 21 of the legs or supports 20. In winding the wire it is necessary only to rotate the crank 9, this winding of the wire on the reel acting to drag the machine over the surface of the ground, for which reason it is possible for one man to gather up the wire as it is removed from the fence without the necessity of touching the wire with his hands and thus running the risk of blood-poisoning.

When the machine is employed for constructing a fence through a scrub country,

where the underbrush would interfere seriously with the movement of the wheels 19, the bolts 16, 21, and 23 are withdrawn and the legs 15 and 20, as well as the braces 22, are removed entirely from the side bars 1 2. When in this condition, the improved machine is operated as shown in Fig. 6that is to say, the wire-reel is permitted to rest upon the ground and the frame is dragged along by means of the handle 3.

In order that the crank 9 and journal 8 may not project from the sides of the frame, and thus become entangled in the underbrush when the machine is used in the manner illustrated by Fig. 6, the wing-nut 12 is loosened and the rod or bolt 10 is withdrawn from said shaft or journal 8, so as to permit said journal to be withdrawn entirely from the reel. A wooden journal or shaft 28, the ends of which terminate about flush with the side bars 1 2, is then passed through the reel, as shown in Fig. 5, said wooden journal 28 being secured in position by means of a pin 29, which extends through the side bars and through said journal.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, it will be seen that the improved fence-machine of this invention is adapted for use in driving fenceposts, as well as in stretching the wires thereon and removing them therefrom. Furthermore, it is adapted to be arranged for use in scrub or timber districts.

The improved device is strong, simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction, 'as well as thoroughly efficient in use. In its particular combination and arrangement of parts it constitutes an improvement over prior devices of a similar character.

Minor changes in the precise embodiment of invention illustrated and described may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a fence-machine, a frame havinga platform, a wire-reel, supporting means at one end of the frame having wheels, pivotallymounted supporting-legs at the opposite end of said frame, and means for holding said supporting-legs in adjusted position.

2. In a fence-machine, a frame, a wire-reel, removable supporting means at one end of said frame provided with wheels, removable and pivotally-mounted supporting means at the opposite end of said frame, and a removable platform carried by said frame.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH WV. KEPPERT.

Witnesses:

H. H. GHRIsTorrERsoN, H. KILBURN. 

